Shade-pull clasp



Dec. 24, 1929` A. l-:lRlNG SHADE PULL CLASP Filed Jan. 16, 1929 ATTO 'Lio

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 ANTHQNY EIR-ING, 0F RVNGTON, NEW JERSEY SHADE-PULL CLASP Application filed January 16, 1929.

'w attaching them to screw eyes passed through the hem into the rod. These screw eyes are difficult to install withoutl splitting relatively light shade'rods an-d invariably distort the hem and render the assembly uni5 'sightly.

Attempts have been made to associate cords, tassels and rings with shades without employing screwl eyes or analogous devices, but such devices, as have hitherto been suggested,

2@ have not met with favor for the reason that they have been either diliicult to install or failed to properly maintain their position after installation. In other cases their cost has been prohibitive.

1With the foregoing considerations in mind, the object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple and economical construction which will eiiciently maintain a cord, tassel or ring in cooperative relation with the shade and which may be associated .with the shade withease and dispatch and without requiring any s vill whatever in ac- -complishing such assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure which will have a firm anchorage with respect to the shade :and will withstand any tension which may be applied to the shade pull.

rThe clasp ot the present invention ditfers from prior devices intended for analogous purposes in several importantparticulars. For example, the clasp oi' this invention is vconstructed from a single piece ot sheet metal bent upon itself to form a cord attaching portion from which extends a pair of opposed .clamping jaws which are relatively resilient. These clamping jaws are so shaped as to 'collectively substantially conform to the cross section of a shade rod, so that the clasp may be 'brought into cooperative relation with Serial No. 332,977.

the rod by passing said clasp in an edgewise direction longitudinally of said rod trom one end of the latter. One or both of the clamping jaws is provided with a struck up spur or `tongue stamped from the jaw and so shaped that it will normally partake of retracted relation so as not to interfere with the sliding movement of the clasp with respect to the shade. However, when the clasp has been properly positioned, the tongue, which is provided with a sharp point, may be readily :forced into the rod to anchor the clasp in position against movement in any direction.

The tongue is preferably made of hook shape, so that it eii'ectually anchors the clasp against pulling away from the shade if tension were applied with sufficient force to overcome the resilient gripping action of the jaws. Furthermore where the bend occurs in tolding the blank upon itself to form the jaws, this bend is made in the form of a relatively open loop through which a ring may be passed if desired and which produces a far better mechanical structure than would be the case if a sharp bend were imparted to the metal at this point. An eyelet is passed through the abutting portions ot the device adjacent the bend and serves to hold these )arts in face abutting relation and through this eyelet the shade pull is passed.

Features of the invention, other than those speciiied, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

n The accompanying drawing illustrates one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure l shows a portion of the lower edge of shade with the present invention assoeiated therewith.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the clasp with the shade rod shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section of the jaw portion of the clamp showing the manner in which the tongue is manipulated to lock the clasp in position.

Figure 5 shows the blank from which the clasp is formed.

In the manufacture of the present invention, I first proceed by the use of suitable stamping and forming dies to produce the blank shown in Figure 5. This gure illustrates a somewhat ornate contour, but I wish it understood that the outline, shape or surface lornamentation is optional and that it can be varied within wide limits without departing from this invention. As shown, however, the opposite end portions of the blank of Figure 5 are substantially identical and are complementary to one another. After the blank has been formed, it is bent along the medial line l into the form shown in the remaining figures. The bend at the line l, however, is made so as to form a substantially cylindrical portion 2 at the bend, so that the metal is not fractured by being bent at too sharp an angle.

After the two ends of the blank have been bent upon themselves as stated, the abutting portions 3 are perforated and an. eyelet or grom'met 4 is passed through the, alined perforations and headed to clamp these portions in lface abutting relation. The upward eX- tensions of the portions 3 constitute clamping jaws 5, which are op'positely complementary to one another and are shaped to substantially coliform to the cross-section of a sha-de rod 6 which, in accordance with the usual practice, is housed within the hem 7 of the shade 8, as clearly shown in Figure 3. From this ligure, it is further clear that the clamping jaws 5 conform to the cross-section of the lower end of the shade, while the free ends of the jaws are flared out slightly as shown at 9, so as not to damage the shade fabric.

Vith this arrangement, it will be apparent that the clasp is applied to the shade by sliding it edgewise from one edge of the shade. This is particularly desirable since it permits the clamping jaws 5 to be made relatively rugged and if an attempt were made to spring the jaws directly on to the center of the shade from the lower edge thereof, there would be a tendency to deform the jaws, so that they would not thereafter tightly grip the shade, unless very high grade springstock were employed in the manufacture of the clasp.

By slipping the clasp on to the shade by lateral movement as stated, all strain on the clasp is eliminated and more close conformity with the shade rod through indefinite periods is assured. i

In order to secure the clasp in position on the shade, one of the clamping jaws 5 is struck up to form a spur or tongue 10. Said spur or tongue is produced by cutting a substantially triangular, portion on the medial line of the jaw and thereafter bending same intermediate its ends, as shown in Figure 4, so as toA form a hooked end l1 which is curved on a center 12 coincident with the base of the spur or tongue l10. The normal position of the spur o-r tongue 10 is as illustrated in full lines in Figure 4, wherein it will be noted that the spur or tongue is bent outwardly or retracted to a position wholly eX- terior of the space between the clamping jaws so that the clasp may be slid along the curtain rod without the spur or tongue interfering with such movement. However, when the clasp is in the desired position at the center of the rod, they spur or tongue may be thereupon forced into the dotted line position of Figure 4, whereby the hooked end 1l is caused to impale the shade rod.

The advantage of the curved end is that it will lead truly into the rod without tendency' to split the same and when in the dotted line position will effectually lock the clasp in position against movement not only in a direction longitudinally of the rod,but in any other direction as well. If excessive strains are placed on the clasp which would tend to pull it off, the rod in a downward direction, the hooked end 1l of the spur or tongue l0 will effectually preclude displacement of the clasp.

When it is desired to remove theclasp from the shade for any reason, the tongue kmay be withdrawn from the dotted line position of Fig. 4 to the full line position thereof by bending it out through the employment of any suitable sharp implement, whereupon the clasp may be slid transversely from the shade. The shade cord 14 is associated with the clasp by passing it through the eyelet 4 and securing it` in any suitable and convenient manner; If desired, the cord may be replaced by a ring or a ring or cord may be passed through the looped end 2 without departing from this invention. Y

The device which I have described is simple in construction. It may be conveniently and economically manufactured and is thoroughly efficient for its intended pruposes. It may be provided with surface ornamentation of any suitable character and may be formed with any desired contour. Sheet metal possessing resilient characteristics is preferred in thefabrication of the structure and when such metal is employed, relatively extensive abutting portions 3 from an adequate support for the resilient clamping jaws 5 and provide a proper anchorage for the cord 14. Relative edgewise movement between the jaws is precluded by the bend 2 and the eyelet 4 and the structure is as a whole rugged and well adapted for` the performance of its intended functions.

Having thusy fully described the invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A shade pull clasp formed from a sheet metal blank bent upon itself intermediate its ends to forni a looped portion adjacent which are race abutting portions carrying oppositely bowed resilient Clamping jaws shaped to substantially conform to the cross sect-ion of the shade rod, a tapering tongue lo stamped from one of said jaws and bent intermediate its ends to forni an lnwardlyextended hooked end, the said tongue being bent at a point which lies substantially at the base of the tongue, said tongue normally occupy- 15 ing a retracted position to withdraw the hooked end from between the jaws, whereby the clasp may be slid longitudinally of a shade rod7 and said tongue being bodily Inovable to cause the hooked end to iinpale the o rod to anchor the clasp in position, and a headed eyelet adapted to secure the face abutting' portions together and providing an aperture for securing a cord to the clasp.

In testimony whereof I have signed the 25 foregoing specification.

ANTHONY EIRNG. 

